Cults

[houseofhoop]

From some literature published by the cult I grew up in. I have not a clue what the vending exercise is! FFS

 

[HotesTilaire]

I read the Amway book by Stephen Butterfield I think. It was interesting although not well written, that’s where it really struck me about the links between MLM, religion and cults. I think he worked with a cult reprogramming specialist after his Amway dream turned to dust.

 

[HotesTilaire]

It’s so weird how in America it seems like you just call yourself a pastor, organise some “bible study” of looking at a bible and going on about it, and everyone just believes that you are a good person and somehow close to God?
Im sure there are people everywhere who can get sucked in by religiousness, but in the USA it’s like anyone can be disarmed and exploited if you play the Jesus card to them.

 

[Five hundred dogs]

A few books that aren’t quite about cults but are kind of cult adjacent-

Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA and the Secret History of the Sixties by Tom O’Neill

Hey Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing by Emily Lynn Paulson

Unmask Alice by Rick Emerson

Weird Scenes Inside the Canyon: Laurel Canyon, Covert Ops and the Dark Heart of the Hippie Dream by David McGowan (this is a bit on that conspiracy theory side, but it’s an interesting read as long as you take some of it with a grain of salt)

 

[Nonah]

I love this thread. I like the pad cast Sounds Like A Cult which is really good at deconstructing ‘normal’ seeming groups and showing how cult-like language seeps in to all sorts of places you might not expect.

 

[HotesTilaire]

So I watched something on Amazon about Twin Flames and now there’s a much better mini series doc on Netflix. Christ this guy is insane, total puppet master

 

[Fenella]

I’m so interested in reading and learning about cults, I think because I recognise in myself that I could easily be the type to be susceptible to them.

I’m actually an atheist now but used to be super into a certain religious group (that isn’t a cult, well no more than any organised religious group I guess) because I just wanted the community and fellowship that was provided by it and I still really miss and yearn for that.

I’ve read a few books (I found Cultish by one of the women from the Sounds Like a Cult podcast very interesting as it kind of tapped in to different things that I might get sucked into while looking for a non religious place to fit, I won’t buy yogi tea anymore now!) but will also look at the recommendations here too as they sound very interesting.

 

[Cheekymonk3y]

I used to work for a company that was run by Plymouth Bretheren - very interesting experience!
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I've seen posts vaguely on here about the Plymouth brethren, are they a religion or a cult or in between? Interested to know more about them if anyone knows anything (more fun to read people's opinions than to google)

Spooooky AF!!!!!!!! @Thank(space)you !!!! (I was typing my post the same time you were posting yours!!)

 

[Five hundred dogs]

Thank you for starting the thread, Sidey B!
As I said, I have been watching videos on YouTube - as you do. One of those that really hit home was about the fundamentalists mormons - apparently Warren Jeffs (when he took over from his father) not only told the faithful to destroy their tvs, burn books and toys, but also commanded them to kill their pets. And. They. Obeyed.
I really have no words.

Both Warren Jeffs and David Miscavage (of Scientology) are similar in that they took over control of really horrible cults and yet somehow still managed to make these awful organisations a hundred times worse.

 

[CocoCottesmore]

There is a great podcast, simply called Cults, which is produced by parcast on Spotify, which I'd recommend. They do a deep dive each episode.

I think it was Casefile's episode on Jonestown that fully showed the horror of what happened. It wasnt just "drinking the koolaid". It was months and months of horror and practice runs. Hearing the leaders voice doing the address at the end was chilling.

A very British cult also was interesting I think because, as others have said, it had the business angle, targeting people who you wouldn't normally associate with joining a cult.

 

[HotesTilaire]

I think the relationship with her is really odd. She just parrots what he says most of the time. I just can’t work out what’s going on there, it seems like a bit of controlling and coercion but I’m surprised he didn’t start checking the energy of other women in the group by putting his dick in them, just to be sure. He seems the type.

 

[Restless Native]

I used to work with a bloke who was a member of this group -

https://www.aetherius.org/

Yoga cults are massive. I listened to a bbc podcast about one. The girl ended up getting sex trafficked in Paris

 

[TheMiceInTheShed]

Thank you for starting the thread, Sidey B!
As I said, I have been watching videos on YouTube - as you do. One of those that really hit home was about the fundamentalists mormons - apparently Warren Jeffs (when he took over from his father) not only told the faithful to destroy their tvs, burn books and toys, but also commanded them to kill their pets. And. They. Obeyed.
I really have no words.

Hell's teeth! That's like Savonarola and the Bonfire of the Vanities! They did exactly the same, including throwing their cats and dogs into the flames.

Horrific!

 

[HotesTilaire]

I watched a documentary programme on Amazon Prime I forget the name of, American of c. There are a group of women who help (mainly young women) escape fundie sects, I think it’s around Utah they had to get a girl over the state line to Vegas as she was 17.
It’s not a one off though, there are several series! And the fundies blend in wearing modern clothes etc pretty sure polygamy was involved. It’s just madness how widespread it is.
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Side note but re cults and MLMs, I watched something about Herbalife on Amazon. It wasn’t that great as a programme but that’s where I realised why Herbalife and similar are big in the US - poor people can’t afford healthcare 🥲 also your Church is your social services support

 

[AmyLou!]

This thread is fascinating. I love reading about Cults. I have done a lot of bible studies with JW over the years, personally I find the bible fascinating but I can't find a religion that has all my beliefs. Anyway, they are lovely to begin with, then the pressuring to convert and join. It gets so much. I like reading their Watchtower and Awakes, but the constant nagging to join.
I love reading about the Mormons (might have to do with the TV series - Big Love) LOL but polygamy intrigues me as to - seriously if my partner was hooking up with my sister wife every second night - I'd be jealous of hell. I call rubbish that they all get along so well and so happy.
The Amish seem a bit Culty to me as well. I've read stores about them leaving.
Re : JW a work friend of mine was raised a JW and married one. He beat her senseless whilst she was pregnant (she was in a coma when her son was born), the JW didn't say anything bad about him, but apparently tried to prevent her mum and dad from seeing her and her son when she left the JW's. The mum and dad even still associate with the Ex knowing what he did. Freaks me out!

 

[iLoveMeSomeCanoles]

I love this thread. I like the pad cast Sounds Like A Cult which is really good at deconstructing ‘normal’ seeming groups and showing how cult-like language seeps in to all sorts of places you might not expect.

See, this is one of my biggest fears, I have MH problems and at times it's been so difficult for me to attend group meetings/therapies etc because I'm worried it's going to be a cult in disguise!!!

 

[SavageGrace]

Is A&E network or app available in the UK? If so, starting January 8th, they are releasing a 10 episode series titled "Secrets of Polygamy" which will cover the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS), the Kingston clan, and the Apostolic United Brethren (AUB).

'Secrets of Polygamy' Docuseries Explores Life Within Mormon Fundamentalist Group Associated With 'Sister Wives' Family

'Secrets of Polygamy' will explore life within several polygamous sects, including the Apostolic United Brethren.

www.cheatsheet.com

 

[50sGirl]

Hope I’m allowed to quote from another thread (Celeb gossip) but wtf?!

Has anyone seen this documentary? This clip was wild. Imagine believing you are being controlled by the spirit of Robin Williams

 

[houseofhoop]

Can you name the cult?

Would definitely recommend 'a very British cult' podcast - I find it so fascinating how anyone would get drawn into these things. I'd like to feel there's no way on earth I ever could, but you just never know!

I can’t name it as it’s far too identifiable and I don’t want to out myself! There are about 200 members in this country. It’s something I was born into so didn’t have much chance to think about it, you just assume it’s the truth. Every year that goes by I learn more and more about real life. I’m a sworn atheist now.

I listened to this podcast as well as watching it, even tho it’s very triggering for me to watch this stuff, it’s also very important as it helps me see how far I’ve come.
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There's a cafe in Honiton called the Yellow Deli which is a front for the Twelve Tribes cult. A lot of these organisations fly under the radar and you may not even realise what you're dealing with.
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I know of a community of religious Sisters who, when the JW's or Mormons come knocking, invite them into the parlour to have a chat. They see it as doing God's work, because if they're in the community's parlour, they're not bothering anyone else and they may save someone who's a bit insecure in their existing faith from being sucked in.

To be honest, if you're a JW and you see a sign saying "Dominican Priory" and your immediate thought is "yes, I shall go and try and convert these Sisters" rather than "maybe there's an easier target out there?" then you deserve a two-hour theological discussion with tea and biscuits.

The yellow café is very close to me… their commune is in Dunkerswell. I think the cult is big in states as I found an exposé on YouTube by a couple of guys.

 

[Bingewatcher92]

So I watched something on Amazon about Twin Flames and now there’s a much better mini series doc on Netflix. Christ this guy is insane, total puppet master

I just finished the Netflix one. Utter madness